Independent bookstore opens in O’Fallon with wide-ranging options for readers
O’Fallon has a new independent bookstore.
For a bibliophilic bookworm like me, that’s all I need to know. I’m there. But for those of you who needs more information? Well, keep reading.
Owner Lena Stooke opened TBR Books this month in a temporary location at 302 W. State St. The 600-square-foot shop operates as a pop-up bookstore.
Eventually, the business will move to its permanent location at 109 W. 1st St. in O’Fallon, where construction on the 2,500-square-foot space recently began. Stooke hopes to reopen at the new place in November, barring any construction delays.
The shop’s new home is next door to Wood Bakery, which is perfect because books plus baked goods equal a fine day.
In time, the TBR Books will feature non-literary works — wood carvings, soaps and other goods — by local artisans from O’Fallon, Belleville, Swansea and the surrounding area.
Stooke said that when the website goes live, artists can fill out a form to be considered for inclusion at the bookshop.
Books for all readers
As an avid reader, opening a bookstore would be living the dream. I’d love to spend my days talking with other readers about the books they’re interested in. Stooke feels the same.
“It’s fun to see what other people read,” said Stooke.
TBR Books has a little bit of everything for the avid reader, except how-to, craft & hobby books, cookbooks and other topics anyone can easily search on YouTube.
The shop, while small, has an excellent selection of book genres that include fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, classics, thrillers, mysteries, local interest, biographies, kids books, young adult, romance — historical romance, paranormal romance and a combo of fantasy and romance, or “romantasy.”
Stooke is currently listening to one audiobook — “Bookshops & Bonedust” by Travis Baldree — and reading two others — “The Carnival of Curiosities” by David Leadbeater and “Swordheart” by T. Kingfisher, aka Ursula Vernon.
TBR deals primarily in new books, but there is a small selection of used books that may expand when the shop moves to the permanent location.
Stooke said she doesn’t want to deal in used books because of the steps to prepare them before stocking on the shop floor. They often need to be quarantined, according to Stooke, and she doesn’t have the space. The used books currently on TBR’s shelves came from her parents’ house, so no quarantine was needed.
Used books, particularly those of unknown origin, are often kept from the shelves for a time to prevent the spread of viruses and potential pests, like silverfish and bedbugs. Other things to look for when dealing with used books are mold, smoke or water damage.
Books can also be placed in a freezer to kill off germs and pests. Apparently, freezers aren’t just a place to hide books when they get scary or intense — like “The Shining” or “Little Women.” (If you get this reference, then we can totally be friends.)
During my all-too-short visit at TBR Books, I found Stooke to be knowledgeable about multiple genres and authors.
I left with recommendations that included authors Megan Bannen and Mary Winters and the books “The Kamogawa Food Detectives” by Hisashi Kashiwai and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot.
Because my TBR (To Be Read) list isn’t long enough already.
About TBR Books
TBR Books is currently located at 302 W. State St. in O’Fallon. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
For more info, call 618-960-2250 or visit the shop’s Facebook page.
